Touch protected busbar system

ABSTRACT

A touch protected busbar system (TP-BSYS) comprising at least one hybrid busbar ( 1 ) having a current-carrying rail profile ( 2 ) and a contact-receiving rail profile ( 3 ) providing contact openings ( 4 ) configured to receive protruding electrical contacts ( 6 ) of electrical devices (ED-A) to be connected to said touch protected busbar system (TP-BSYS), wherein the at least one hybrid busbar ( 1 ) is at least partially covered by electrical isolating touch protection elements (TPE) of said touch protected busbar system (TP-BSYS) and/or at least partially encapsulated by an electrical isolating layer.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a 35 U.S.C. 371 National Stage application ofPCT/EP2019/054343, filed Feb. 21, 2019, and claims priority to EuropeanApplication No. EP 18162101.2 filed on Mar. 15, 2018. The entirecontents of the above-mentioned patent applications are incorporatedherein by reference as part of the disclosure of this U.S. application.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a touch protected busbar system which can beused flexibly for a wide variety of use cases.

Busbar systems can comprise one or several busbars for providing powersupply for electrical devices. In conventional busbar systems,electrical devices are directly connected to the busbar system by meansof adapters mounted to different busbars of the busbar system orelectrical devices are connected directly on the busbars without anadapter. Busbars can for example carry one or several AC mains powersupply voltages. Busbars can also be used to carry DC voltages. One ormore busbars can be mounted in parallel and can carry different phaseslike L1, L2, L3, PE and N of a power supply system. An electrical devicewhich requires electrical power supply is usually connected to thebusbars carrying the AC mains power supply and voltages by means ofclamps or conductors or specific adapters. Accordingly, mounting ofelectrical devices in such a conventional busbar system can becumbersome and is only possible with voltage-free busbars. To increasethe safety of the users areas without any devices need to be covered.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a touchprotected busbar system or busbar system which allows to mountelectrical devices on a busbar system without use of any additionaladapter elements and which provides touch protection for a user andthereby increasing safety significantly. Furthermore, the busbar systemaccording to the present invention allows a mounting of devices withbusbars under voltage.

This object is achieved by a touch protected busbar system comprisingthe features of claim 1.

The invention provides according to a first aspect a touch protectedbusbar system comprising

at least one hybrid busbar having a current-carrying rail profile and acontact-receiving rail profile providing contact openings configured toreceive protruding electrical contacts of electrical devices to beconnected to said touch protected busbar system,wherein the at least one hybrid busbar is at least partially covered byelectrical isolating touch protection elements of said touch protectedbusbar system and/or at least partially encapsulated by an electricalisolating layer.

The touch protected busbar system according to the present invention isvery flexible and can comprise both hybrid busbars as well asconventional busbars. The electric isolating touch protection elementscan be mounted easily on the busbars and provide electrical isolationfor any user or operator.

A further advantage of the touch protected busbar system according tothe first aspect of the present invention is that the electrical devicescan be easily connected to the touch protected busbar system on a frontside without removing the protecting electrical isolating touchprotection elements of the touch protected busbar system.

Moreover a connection of electrical devices to the touch protectedbusbar system can be performed very fast and without requiring anytools.

The touch protected busbar system according to the present invention hasthe further advantage that it is completely compatible with existingconventional busbar systems comprising conventional busbars with arectangular cross section.

The touch protected busbar system according to the present invention hasalso the advantage that a first type of electrical devices havingprotruding electrical contacts can be inserted into correspondingcontact openings of a contact-receiving rail profile without any use ofadapter elements from the front side of the busbar system. The touchprotected busbar system has the additional advantage that another typeof electrical devices which do not comprise protruding electricalcontacts can also be mounted on the same hybrid busbar using hook-shapeddevice mounting latches of the respective electrical devices.Consequently, the touch protected busbar system according to the presentinvention is very flexible in use and allows to connect both a firsttype of electrical devices with protruding electrical contacts and/or toconnect a second type of electrical devices having hook-shaped devicemounting latches at the same time.

A further significant advantage of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the present invention as defined by claim 1 is that itallows to use hybrid busbars having a current-carrying rail profile anda contact-receiving rail profile wherein the current-carrying railprofile of the hybrid busbar can carry electrical currents with highcurrent amplitudes.

In a possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar system accordingto the first aspect of the present invention, the at least one hybridbusbar consists of a current-carrying rail profile and acontact-receiving rail profile forming an integrated monolithic hybridbusbar.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the at least onehybrid busbar is formed by connecting a current-carrying rail profileand a contact-receiving rail profile. In this embodiment, thecurrent-carrying rail profile and the contact-receiving rail profile canform separate elements which are connected mechanically with each other.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the electricalisolating touch protection elements mounted on the hybrid busbars and/ornon-hybrid busbars comprise contact openings aligned with contactopenings of contact-receiving rail profiles of hybrid busbars covered bysaid touch protection elements.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the electricalisolating touch protection elements mounted by means of busbar mountinghooks on the busbars comprise latch openings which are adapted toreceive device mounting latches of electrical devices to be connected tosaid touch protected busbar system.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the devicemounting latches of the electrical devices are hook-shaped and adaptedto be passed through the latch openings of the electrical isolatingtouch protection elements and to engage the hybrid busbars as well asthe non-hybrid busbars covered by the touch protection elements frombehind.

In this embodiment, the electrical devices can be connected electricallyby means of a clamping unit or clamping elements.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the electricalisolating touch protection element comprises at least one configurableelectrical isolating touch protection element having a configurationportion adapted to provide a first configuration where protrudingelectrical contacts of electrical devices can be passed through contactopenings of the respective touch protection element and can be pluggedinto aligned contact openings of contact-receiving rail profiles ofhybrid busbars covered by said touch protection element.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the at least oneconfiguration portion of the configurable electrical isolating touchprotection element is adapted to provide a second configuration wheredevice mounting latches of electrical devices can be passed throughlatch openings of the respective touch protection element and can engagehybrid busbars and/or non-hybrid busbars covered by said touchprotection element from behind.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the at least oneconfiguration portion of the configurable electrical isolating touchprotection element is moveable between a first position to provide afirst configuration and a second position to provide a secondconfiguration of said configurable touch protection element.

In a still further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbarsystem according to the first aspect of the present invention, the atleast one configuration portion of said configurable electricalisolating touch protection element is mounted on or integrated with saidelectrical isolating touch protection element in a fixed position toprovide either a first configuration or a second configuration of saidconfigurable touch protection element.

In a still further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbarsystem according to the first aspect of the present invention, theelectrical isolating touch protection element comprises a preconfiguredtouch protection element providing a first configuration whereprotruding electrical contacts of electrical devices can be passedthrough contact openings of the respective preconfigured touchprotection element and can be plugged into aligned contact openings ofcontact-receiving rail profiles of hybrid busbars covered by saidpreconfigured touch protection element or providing a secondconfiguration where device mounting latches of electrical devices can bepassed through latch openings of the respective preconfigured touchprotection element and can engage hybrid busbars or non-hybrid busbarscovered by said preconfigured touch protection element from behind.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the electricalisolating touch protection element comprises a preconfigured touchprotection element adapted to cover hybrid busbars and/or non-hybridbusbars completely.

In a still further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbarsystem according to the first aspect of the present invention, thecontact openings of the electrical isolating touch protection elementsmounted on busbars of said touch protected busbar system are equallyspaced and aligned with equally spaced contact openings ofcontact-receiving rail profiles of the hybrid busbars covered by saidtouch protection elements.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the at least onehybrid busbar of said touch protected busbar system and other hybridbusbars or non-hybrid busbars of said touch protected busbar system aremounted on busbar support elements of said touch protected busbarsystem.

In a still further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbarsystem according to the first aspect of the present invention, thehybrid busbars and/or non-hybrid busbars of said touch protected busbarsystem comprise centering cavities or centering protrusions used forprecise positioning the touch protection elements when mounted on thebusbars.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the systemfurther comprises at least one electrical isolating touch protectionpanel mounted on the rear side of said touch protected busbar system.

In a still further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbarsystem according to the first aspect of the present invention, severalelectrical isolating touch protection elements are integrated forming afront side electrical isolating touch protection panel at the front sideof said touch protected busbar system.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the front sideelectrical isolating touch protection panel is mechanically connectedwith a rear side electrical isolating touch protection panel at the rearside of said touch protected busbar system to form an electricalisolating housing encapsulating the busbars of said touch protectedbusbar system.

In a still further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbarsystem according to the first aspect of the present invention, theelectrical isolating touch protection element comprises a mechanicalremoval protection adapted to block an unwanted removal of therespective touch protection element from said touch protected busbarsystem.

In a still further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbarsystem according to the first aspect of the present invention, theelectrical isolating touch protection element is adapted to cover atleast one hybrid busbar and/or non-hybrid busbar mounted in parallel insaid touch protected busbar system.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the electricalisolating touch protection element is adapted to cover one or two orthree or four or five (L1, L2, L3, N, PE) hybrid or non-hybrid busbarsmounted in parallel in said touch protected busbar system.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the electricalisolating touch protection element comprises mechanical interfaces toconnect mechanical components with said touch protected busbar system,

wherein the mechanical components connected via mechanical interfaces ofthe electrical isolating touch protection elements to said touchprotected busbar system comprise components to receive additionalbusbars used to carry electrical current and/or used to carryinformation and/or auxiliary components, in particular auxiliarycomponents used to label the respective touch protection elements.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the electricalisolating touch protection elements comprise slots to receive protrudingmechanical locking elements of electrical devices mounted on said touchprotection elements and electrically connected to the hybrid busbarsand/or to the non-hybrid busbars covered by the respective touchprotection elements.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the electricalisolating touch protection elements are made of fire-resistant and/orheat-conducting plastic material, in particular a fire-resistant andheat-conducting transparent plastic material.

In a still further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbarsystem according to the first aspect of the present invention, thehybrid busbar comprises at least one bounding geometry having arectangular cross section engageable by hook-shaped mounting latches ofelectrical devices or by electrical connectors or of electrical adaptersto be connected to said touch protected busbar system.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the hybridbusbar is formed asymmetrically with the contact-receiving rail portionattached lateral to the current-carrying rail profile of the respectivehybrid busbar.

In a further possible alternative embodiment of the touch protectedbusbar system according to the first aspect of the present invention,the hybrid busbar can be formed symmetrically with a contact-receivingrail profile connected to the current-carrying rail profile.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the electricalisolating touch protection elements provide an intrusion protectionaccording to protection marking code IP20B.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, the electricalisolating touch protection elements provide an interface for anadditional protection element in order to provide protection markingIP40D or IP30C.

In a still further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbarsystem according to the first aspect of the present invention, thecurrent-carrying rail profile of the hybrid busbar comprises a C-shapedprofile and one or more T-shaped profiles.

In a still further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbarsystem according to the first aspect of the present invention, the touchprotected busbar system is integrated in a housing of a distribution boxor of a distribution enclosure.

In a still further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbarsystem according to the first aspect of the present invention, thesystem further comprises a current-feeding component adapted to feed atleast one electrical supply phase to the hybrid and/or non-hybridbusbars covered by the touch protection elements of the touch protectedbusbar system.

In a still further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbarsystem according to the first aspect of the present invention, aconfiguration portion of the touch protection element comprises openingsto receive coding protrusions of electrical devices to provide a reversevoltage protection of the electrical devices.

In a further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention, configurationportions of the touch protection elements comprise slots to receivemechanical locking elements of electrical devices used to mount theelectrical devices on said touch protection elements.

In a still further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbarsystem according to the first aspect of the present invention, theelectrical isolating touch protection elements are adapted to cover andisolate additional busbars and/or electrical conductors used totransport analog or digital information signals, AC or DC supplyvoltages or to provide reference potentials.

In a still further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbarsystem according to the first aspect of the present invention, themechanical removal protection is unreleasable.

In a still further possible alternative embodiment of the touchprotected busbar system according to the first aspect of the presentinvention, the mechanical removal protection is releasable by a slideprotection release tool, in particular by a screwdriver or by a specificprotection release tool.

In a still further possible embodiment of the touch protected busbarsystem according to the first aspect of the present invention, thesystem comprises longitudinal busbar connectors adapted to connectmechanically and electrically at least one non-hybrid busbar with atleast one hybrid busbar of the system.

The invention provides according to a further second aspect a hybridbusbar which can be used for the touch protected busbar system accordingto the first aspect of the present invention, wherein said hybrid busbarcomprises

a current-carrying rail profile adapted to carry an electrical currentwith a predefined high current amplitude and

at least one contact-receiving rail profile having a plurality ofequally spaced contact-openings configured to receive protrudingelectrical contacts of electrical devices to be connected to said touchprotected busbar system,

wherein the current-carrying rail profile and the contact-receiving railprofile are connected with each other to form a hybrid busbar which isengageable from behind by hook-shaped device mounting latches ofelectrical devices to be connected to said touch protected busbarsystem.

The invention provides according to a further aspect a configurationplatform used for configuring a touch protected busbar system accordingto the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the configurationplatform comprises a configuration module adapted to configure touchprotection elements in response to configuration data loaded from adatabase of said configuration platform and/or input via a userinterface of said configuration platform.

In a possible embodiment of the configuration platform according to thethird aspect of the present invention, the configuration module of saidconfiguration platform is connected via a local or a global data networkto a manufacturing machine, in particular to a 3D printer or to aninjection moulding machine, adapted to manufacture automatically theconfigured touch protection elements according to their configurations.

In the following, possible embodiments of the different aspects of thepresent invention are described in more detail with reference to theenclosed figures.

FIG. 1 shows a possible exemplary embodiment of a touch protected busbarsystem according to the first aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a possible exemplary embodiment of a touch protectionelement as used by the touch protected busbar system illustrated in FIG.1 wherein the electrical isolating touch protection element is in afirst configuration position;

FIG. 3 shows the electrical isolating touch protection element asillustrated in FIG. 2 in another second configuration position;

FIGS. 4A, 4B show a further view on an exemplary embodiment of a touchprotected busbar system according to the first aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 shows a view on a busbar support element of an exemplaryembodiment of a touch protected busbar system according to the firstaspect of the present invention, wherein the busbar support element canbe completely covered by attached electrical devices having eitherpluggable protruding electrical contacts or clamping contacts;

FIGS. 6A, 6B show further views on an exemplary embodiment of a touchprotected busbar system according to the first aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 shows a further view on an exemplary embodiment of a busbarsupport element which can be used in a touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention allowing to mountelectrical devices having device mounting latches;

FIG. 8 illustrates assembling of hybrid busbars by using the busbarsupport element of FIG. 7 without the front element in a possibleexemplary embodiment of a touch protected busbar system according to anaspect of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a possible exemplary embodiment of a busbar supportelement which can be used in a touch protected busbar system accordingto the first aspect of the present invention allowing to mountelectrical devices with protruding electrical contacts on top of thebusbar supporting element;

FIG. 10 illustrates a mounting of hybrid busbars to the busbarsupporting element shown in FIG. 9 without the front element;

FIGS. 11 to 20 illustrate different possible exemplary embodiments ofhybrid busbars which can be used in a touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 21, 22 illustrate cross sections of different types of electricaldevices which can be connected to a touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 23 shows a possible exemplary embodiment of a touch protectedbusbar system according to the first aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 24 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a touch protected busbarsystem according to the first aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 25 shows exemplary possible connection alternatives for connectingelectrical devices to busbars of a touch protected busbar systemaccording to the first aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 26 shows an exemplary mechanical connection element which can beused for a two-part symmetrical hybrid busbar within a touch protectedbusbar system according to the first aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 27 illustrates two connector assemblies with hook-shaped devicemounting latches which can be used to connect electrical devices to ahybrid busbar used in a touch protected busbar system according to thefirst aspect of the present invention; and one protruding electricalcontact

FIGS. 28 to 30 show a further possible embodiment of a busbar supportelement;

FIGS. 31, 32 show a further possible embodiment of a touch protectedbusbar system according to the present invention.

As can be seen from the perspective view of FIG. 1 , the touch protectedbusbar system TP-BSYS according to a first aspect of the presentinvention comprises at least one hybrid busbar 1-i. In the illustratedexemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 , the touch protected busbar systemTP-BSYS comprises three hybrid busbars 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 mounted on busbarsupport elements 17A, 17B in parallel in x-direction. Each hybrid busbar1-i has in the illustrated embodiment a current-carrying rail profile2-i and a contact-receiving rail profile 3-i. In the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 1 , the current-carrying rail profile 2 and thecorresponding contact-receiving rail profile 3 form an integratedmonolithic hybrid busbar 1. In the illustrated embodiment, thecontact-receiving rail profile 3 of the hybrid busbar 1 is attachedlateral to the associated current-carrying profile 2 as shown in FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 , three hybrid busbars 1-1,1-2, 1-3 are mounted in parallel in x-direction to the touch protectedbusbar system TP-BSYS. The number of busbars mounted in the touchprotected busbar system TP-BSYS can vary depending on the use case. Thetouch protected busbar system TP-BSYS comprises at least one hybrid ornon-hybrid busbar isolated by means of an electrical isolating touchprotection element TPE. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the touchprotected busbar system TP-BSYS comprises three parallel hybrid busbars1-1, 1-2, 1-3 formed by integrated monolithic hybrid busbars mounted tothe busbar support elements 17A, 17B and covered by several touchprotection elements TPE to provide electrical protection for a user oran operator. The current-carrying rail profile 2 of each hybrid busbar 1is provided to carry the electrical current I to electrical contacts ofelectrical devices ED connected in z-direction to the touch protectedbusbar system TP-BSYS. Because of its relatively large cross section theelectrical resistance of the current-carrying rail profile 2 isrelatively low. Each hybrid busbar 1 comprises besides itscurrent-carrying rail profile 2 a contact-receiving rail profile 3configured to receive protruding electrical contacts of electricaldevices ED to be connected to the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS.As can be seen in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , the hybridbusbars 1 are at least partially covered by electrically isolating touchprotection elements TPE1, TPE2, TPE3, TPE4, TPE5. In a further possibleembodiment of the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS, some or allhybrid busbars 1-i and/or any other conventional busbars can be at leastpartially covered or encapsulated by an electrical isolating layer toprovide additional security.

As can be seen in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the electricalisolating touch protection elements TPE1 to TPE5 mounted on the busbars1-i comprise each a row 16-i of contact openings 16 which are aligned tothe contact openings 4-i of the contact receiving profiles 3-i of thehybrid busbars 1-i covered by the respective touch protection elementsTPE1 to TPE5. The contact openings 4 of each row 4-i ofcontact-receiving profiles 3-i are equally spaced in x-direction asillustrated in FIG. 1 . The contact openings 16 of the contact openingrows 16-i are also equally spaced in x-direction and aligned with thecorresponding contact openings 4-i of the contact-receiving railprofiles 3 of the hybrid busbars 1 located beneath the touch protectionelements TPE as illustrated in FIG. 1 . The electrical isolating touchprotection elements TPE as shown in FIG. 1 are made of a fire-resistantand/or heat-conducting plastic material. The touch protection elementsTPE are fire-resistant and can be made in a possible embodiment of aheat-conducting material. In a possible embodiment, the touch protectionelements TPE can also be manufactured from a fire-resistant and/orheat-conducting transparent plastic material. In this implementation,the hybrid and/or non-hybrid busbars covered by the touch protectionelements TPE are visible to a user and operator. This can facilitate themounting of electrical devices ED to the touch protected busbar systemTP-BSYS. In case that the touch protection elements TPE are made atleast partially of transparent plastic material, a user or operator hasthe possibility to recognize which kind of busbars are covered by thetouch protection elements TPE, e.g. whether the touch protectionelements TPE cover hybrid busbars 1 and/or non-hybrid busbars. Further,the user can recognize which kind of physical cross section thedifferent busbars behind the electrical isolating touch protectionelements TPE have, in particular which current-carrying capabilities.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the touch protection elements TPE can bemounted to the hybrid and/or non-hybrid busbars by means of busbarmounting hooks 23-i. Besides the contact openings 16-i, the touchprotection elements TPE comprise latch openings 11-i adapted to receivedevice mounting latches 7 of electrical devices ED to be connected tothe touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS. In a possible embodiment,also illustrated in FIG. 22 and FIG. 27 , the device mounting latches 7of electrical devices ED can be hook-shaped and be adapted in their formto be passed in z-direction through the latch openings 11 of theelectrical isolating touch protection elements TPE. The hook-shapeddevice mounting latches 7 of the electrical devices ED can engage thehybrid busbars 1 or the non-hybrid busbars covered by the touchprotection elements TPE from behind as also shown in the cross sectionview of FIG. 22 and FIG. 27 .

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 , the electrical isolation touchprotection elements TPE each comprise at least one configurableelectrical isolating touch protection element TPE having a configurationportion 12 adapted to provide either a first configuration or a secondconfiguration. In the illustrated embodiment, each touch protectionelement TPE comprises two configuration portions 12-1, 12-2. In theillustrated example, the first two touch protection elements TPE1, TPE2comprise configuration portions 12-1, 12-2 in a first configurationposition to provide a first configuration. In the illustrated example ofFIG. 1 , the touch protection elements TPE3, TPE4, TPE5 compriseconfiguration portions 12-1, 12-2 both moved in y-direction to anotherposition to provide a second configuration. In the first configurationposition, protruding element contacts 6 of electrical devices ED-A canbe passed through contact openings 16-i of the respective touchprotection elements TPE1, TPE2 and can be plugged into aligned contactopenings 4-i of contact receiving rail profiles 3-i of hybrid busbars1-i covered by the respective touch protection elements TPE1, TPE2 asalso illustrated in FIG. 21 . In the second configuration position ofthe configuration portions 12-1, 12-2, the electrical isolating touchprotection elements such as the touch protection elements TPE3, TPE4,TPE5 are adapted to provide a second configuration where the devicemounting latches 7 of electrical devices ED-B can be passed through thelatch openings 11-1, 11-2, 11-3 of the respective touch protectionelements TPE3, TPE4, TPE5 and can engage the hybrid busbars 1 and/or anynon-hybrid busbars covered by the touch protection elements TPE3, TPE4,TPE5 from behind, as also illustrated schematically in FIG. 22 and FIG.27 .

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 , the touch protection elementsTPE1 to TPE5 each comprise two configuration portions 12-1, 12-2. In theillustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 , the two configuration portions 12-1,12-2 are both moveable in y-direction between a first position and asecond position. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 , the firstconfiguration portion 12-1 as well as the second configuration portion12-2 of the first touch protection element TPE1 and of the second touchprotection element TPE2 are both moved down to a first configurationposition. The first configuration position allows to insert inz-direction protruding electrical contacts 6 or 19 (as illustrated inFIG. 27 ) of electrical devices ED-A to be passed through contactopenings 16 of the configuration portions 12-1, 12-2 as shown in FIG. 1. The electrical contacts 6 are passed in z-direction through thecontact openings 16 of the touch protection elements TPE and can beplugged into the aligned contact openings 4-i of the hybrid busbars 1-icovered by the touch protection elements TPE. By plugging or insertingthe electrical contacts 6 of electrical devices ED-A into thecontact-receiving rail profiles 3 of the hybrid busbars 1, an electricaland/or mechanical connection can be provided as also illustratedschematically in the cross section view of FIG. 21 . The mechanicalconnection in x and y direction can be provided by contact protectionribs extending in parallel on both sides of an electrical contact 6. Amechanical connection in y-direction can be provided by slots 12A-1,12A-2. As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the touch protection elements TPE cancomprise guiding or sliding means 32 which allow to move theconfiguration portions 12-1, 12-2 of the touch protection element iny-direction between two positions. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG.1 , the busbars 1-i are mounted in a horizontal direction on the busbarsupport elements 17-1, 17-2. The touch protection elements TPE1 to TPE5can be snapped on the horizontal busbars 1-i by means of the busbarmounting hooks 23-i from above. As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the touchprotection elements TPE1 to TPE5 have a longitudinal shape to coverseveral parallel mounted busbars 1-i. In the illustrated exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 1 , each touch protection element TPE is adapted tocover and isolate three busbars 1-i mounted in parallel in x-direction.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the touch protection elements TPEare mounted perpendicular on the hybrid busbars 1-i. In the illustratedexample, the longitudinal axis of the touch protection elements TPE isin vertical direction (y-direction), i.e. perpendicular to thehorizontal busbars 1 (x-direction). In the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 1 , the guiding elements 32 allow to move the configurationportions 12-1, 12-2 in vertical direction (y-direction) between an upperposition and a lower position. The configuration portions 12-1, 12-2 ofthe touch protection elements TPE1, TPE2 are in the lower position,whereas the configuration portions 12-1, 12-2 of the other touchprotection elements TPE3, TPE4, TPE5 are in the upper position. In thelower first position, the configuration portions 12-1, 12-2 are bothadapted to provide a configuration where protruding electrical contacts6 of electrical devices ED can be passed in z-direction through thecontact openings 16-i of the touch protection element TPE and can beplugged or inserted into aligned contact openings 4-i ofcontact-receiving rail profiles 3 of hybrid busbars 1-i covered by thetouch protection element TPE. In contrast, if the configuration portions12-1, 12-2 are moved or pushed to the other upper configuration positionas is in the case for the touch protection elements TPE3, TPE4, TPE5,the respective touch protection element TPE is adapted to provide asecond configuration where device mounting latches 7 of electricaldevices ED can be passed in z-direction through the latch openings 11-iof the touch protection element TPE and can engage the hybrid busbars 1and any other non-hybrid busbars covered by the touch protection elementTPE from behind.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 , each touch protection elementTPE comprises two configuration portions 12-1, 12-2. In the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 1 , each configuration portion 12-1, 12-2 can bemoved separately from the other configuration portion of the same touchprotection element TPE between two configuration positions. In apossible embodiment, both configuration portions 12-1, 12-2 of the sametouch protection element TPE can be mechanically coupled or connected sothat if a first configuration portion 12-1 is moved or pushed to aspecific configuration position, the other configuration portion 12-2 ofthe same touch protection element TPE is moved to the same configurationposition as the coupled first configuration portion 12-1.

As can be seen in the embodiment of FIG. 1 , a user or operator canmanually move configuration portions 12-1, 12-2 of the different touchprotection elements TPE individually between different configurationpositions depending on the electrical devices ED which the user oroperator wishes to connect to the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYSaccording to the present invention. For instance, an electrical deviceED can either comprise device mounting latches 7 for contacting busbarsor electrical contacts 6 for connecting busbars. If an electrical deviceED comprises protruding electrical contacts 6 as illustrated in thecross section of FIG. 21 , the operator can bring one or more touchprotection elements TPE to a configuration position where the protrudingelectrical contacts 6 of the respective electrical device ED can beinserted into the contact openings 4-i of the hybrid busbars 1-i. To dothis, the operator will move the contact portions 12-1, 12-2 into thefirst configuration position as illustrated for the touch protectionelement TPE1 and TPE2 shown in FIG. 1 . In contrast, if the electricaldevice ED to be connected to the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYScomprises for instance hook-shaped device mounting latches 7, theconfiguration portions 12-1, 12-2 of the respective touch protectionelements TPE are moved by the user to the other second configurationposition, where the device mounting latches 7 can be passed through thelatch openings 11-i of the electrical isolating touch protectionelements TPE and can engage the hybrid busbars 1-i or non-hybrid busbarscovered by the touch protection elements TPE from behind. Accordingly,the user can in this case push manually the configuration portions 12-1,12-2 to the upper position as illustrated in FIG. 1 for touch protectionelement TPE3, TPE4, TPE5.

As can be seen in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 , the hybridbusbars 1-i are mounted on the busbar support elements 17A, 17B and arecovered partially by five touch protection elements TPE1 to TPE5 whereintwo of the touch protection elements TPE1, TPE2 are in a firstconfiguration position for receiving a first type of electrical devicesED-A and the remaining touch protection elements TPE3, TPE4, TPE5 are ina second configuration position to connect another type of electricaldevices ED-B of the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS. Thelongitudinal touch protection elements TPE are mounted in verticaldirection (y-direction) by means of busbar mounting hooks 23-i to thehybrid and/or non-hybrid busbars, the touch protection element TPE is ina preferred embodiment symmetrical to its longitudinal axis having amechanical slide or removal protection 30 at its lower end and at leastone mechanical interface 31 at its upper end as also illustrated in FIG.1 . The electrical isolating touch protection element TPE comprises amechanical slide protection 30 adapted to block an unwanted removal ofthe respective touch protection element TPE from the touch protectedbusbar system TP-BSYS. In a preferred embodiment, the mechanical slideprotection 30 is releasable by a protection release tool. Thisprotection release tool can comprise a screwdriver or a specificprotection release tool. In an alternative embodiment, the mechanicalslide protection 30 can also be constructed such that the mechanicalslide protection is unreleasable. The mechanical removal protection 30is located at the lower end of the vertical mounted touch protectionelement TPE as shown in FIG. 1 . In case that the mechanical removalprotection is releasable, the user or operator can use a general orspecific slide protection release tool to unrelease the touch protectionelement TPE so that the touch protection element TPE can be slipped fromthe busbars.

The touch protection elements TPE can comprise one or more mechanicalinterfaces, in particular a mechanical interface 31 located at the upperend of the vertical mounted touch protection element TPE as shown inFIG. 1 . The mechanical interface can serve different purposes. In apossible embodiment, the mechanical interfaces 31 allow to connectmechanical components with the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYSaccording to the present invention. These mechanical componentsconnected via the mechanical interfaces 31 of the electrical isolatingtouch protection elements TPE to said touch protected busbar systemTP-BSYS can comprise components to receive additional busbars used tocarry electrical current and/or used to carry information or data. Theseadditional busbars can be provided to carry electrical signals betweenelectrical devices ED connected to the touch protected busbar systemTP-BSYS according to the present invention. In a possibleimplementation, additional busbars can be used to provide a powerlinecommunication PLC between the different electrical devices ED. Themechanical interfaces 31 can also be used to connect auxiliarycomponents to the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS, in particularauxiliary components used to label the respective touch protectionelements TPE or the electrical devices ED connected at this position tothe touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS.

In a possible embodiment, the electrical isolating touch protectionelements TPE can also comprise slots 12A to receive protrudingmechanical elements of electrical devices ED mounted on said touchprotection elements TPE and being electrically connected to the hybridbusbars 1 and/or to the non-hybrid busbars covered by the respectivetouch protection elements TPE. As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the firstconfiguration portion 12-1 of each touch protection element TPE cancomprise openings 12B-1 to receive coding protrusions of electricaldevices ED to provide a reverse voltage protection of the electricaldevices ED. Further, both configuration portions 12-1, 12-2 of eachtouch protection element TPE can comprise slots 12A-1, 12A-2 to receivemechanical locking elements of electrical devices ED-A used to mount theelectrical devices ED-A on the touch protection elements TPE. Theelectrical isolating touch protection elements TPE such as illustratedin FIG. 1 can also be adapted to cover and isolate additional busbarsand/or electrical conductors used to transport analog and/or digitalinformation signals, AC or DC supply voltages to provide referencepotentials for electrical or electronic devices. In the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 1 , the busbars of the touch protected busbar systemTP-BSYS are all formed by hybrid busbars 1-1, 1-2, 1-3. In a possibleembodiment, the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS can compriselongitudinal busbar connectors adapted to connect mechanically andelectrically at least one non-hybrid busbar to one of the hybrid busbars1-i of the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS.

The length of the busbars 1 mounted to the busbar support elements 17-1,17-2 can vary depending on the use case. Further, the geometry of across section of the hybrid busbars 1 can be different in differentimplementations. In a possible embodiment, each hybrid busbar 1 compriseat least one bounding geometry having a rectangular cross sectionengageable by hook-shaped mounting latches 7 of electrical devices ED orof electrical connectors or of electrical adapters to be connected tothe touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS. The electrical isolatingtouch protection elements TPE such as touch protection elements TPE1 toTPE5 can provide in a possible embodiment an intrusion protectionaccording to a protection marking code IP20B and/or provide also aninterface for an additional protection element in order to achieveprotection marking IP40D.

In a possible embodiment, the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS asillustrated in FIG. 1 can also be integrated in a housing of adistribution box or of a distribution enclosure. In a possibleembodiment, each busbar, in particular each hybrid busbar, can beprovided for carrying an electrical supply phase L of a power supply.

In a possible embodiment, the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYScomprises at least one current-feeding component adapted to feed one ormore electrical supply phases L to the hybrid or non-hybrid busbarscovered by the touch protection elements TPE of the touch protectedbusbar system TP-BSYS. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 , thetouch protected busbar system TP-BSYS comprises three hybrid busbars1-1, 1-2, 1-3 which can be used to carry three electrical power supplyphases L1, L2, L3. The electrical devices ED mounted to the touchprotected busbar system TP-BSYS can receive the electrical supplycurrents and/or electrical supply voltages by means of their electricalcontacts 6 and/or by means of electrical contacts provided by contacttongues 28A of clamping elements 28 or by contact fingers of comb-shapedcontact plates 22A of a clamping unit 22 as illustrated in FIG. 27 . Theelectrical contacts of electrical device ED-B can also be provided atthe hook-shaped device mounting latches 7 engaging the busbars frombehind.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a touch protection element TPEas used in the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS according to thefirst aspect of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates the touchprotection element TPE with its two configuration portions 12-1, 12-2 ina first lower configuration position where the contact openings 4-1,4-2, 4-3 of all three parallel hybrid busbars 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 areaccessible from the front side. In this first configuration position ofthe configuration portions 12-1, 12-2, the protruding electricalcontacts 6 of electrical devices ED can be passed in z-direction throughthe contact openings 16 of the touch protection element TPE and can beplugged easily into the aligned contact openings 4-i of the hybridbusbars 1-i covered by the touch protection element TPE.

FIG. 3 shows the touch protection element TPE of FIG. 2 in the otherconfiguration position. As shown in FIG. 3 , both configuration portions12-1, 12-2 have been moved in the upper configuration position such asillustrated in FIG. 1 for a touch protection element TPE3, TPE4, TPE5.In this second configuration position (configuration portions moved tothe upper position) the device mounting latches 7 of electrical devicesED can be passed through latch openings 11-1, 11-2, 11-3 of therespective touch protection element TBE and can engage the hybrid ornon-hybrid busbars covered by the respective touch protection elementTBE from behind. The slots can be used to establish an electricalcontact by means of a comb-shaped contact plate 22A of a clamping unit22 or by means of tongue-shaped contacts 28A of a clamping element 28 asillustrated in FIG. 27 .

In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 2, 3 , the touch protectionelement TBE is configured to cover three parallel busbars simultaneouslywhen attached to the busbars by means of the busbar mounting hooks 23-1,23-2, 23-3. In the illustrated embodiments, the touch protectionelements TPE comprise three pairs of busbar mounting hooks 23-1, 23-2,23-3, i.e. a total of six busbar mounting hooks. The busbar mountinghooks 23-i are configured and adapted to the cross section of thebusbars to be covered by the touch protection element TPE. In a possibleembodiment, the busbar mounting hooks 23-i can be slided or snapped onthe busbars wherein the mechanical removal protection 30 at the lowerside of the touch protection element TPE can be provided with hooksengaging the lower busbar 1-3 to block a removal of the touch protectionelement TPE from the busbars covered by the touch protection elementTPE. In a possible preferred embodiment, the mechanical removalprotection 30 can be released by means of a release tool allowing toremove the electrical isolating touch protection element TPE from thebusbars 1. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 2, 3 , the touchprotection element TPE comprises at the opposing upper side a mechanicalinterface 31 allowing to connect additional components to the touchprotection element TPE. The provision of a mechanical slide protection30 and the mechanical interface 31 is optional.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2, 3 , theconfiguration portions 12-1, 12-2 can be pushed or slided by means ofsliding means 32 between a first configuration position and a secondconfiguration position. In this embodiment, the configuration portion12-1, 12-2 of the configurable electrical isolating touch protectionelement TPE is moved in y-direction between a first position to providea first configuration and a second position to provide a secondconfiguration.

In an alternative embodiment, at least one configuration portion 12-1,12-2 of the configurable electrical isolated touch protection elementTPE can be mounted or integrated with the electrical isolating touchprotection element TPE in a fixed position to provide either a firstconfiguration or a second configuration of the respective configurabletouch protection element TPE.

In a still further possible alternative embodiment, an electricalisolating touch protection element TPE comprises a preconfigured touchprotection element TPE. This preconfigured touch protection element TPEcan provide a first configuration where protruding electrical contacts 6of electrical devices ED can be passed through contact openings 16 ofthe respective preconfigured touch protection element TPE and can beplugged into aligned contact openings 4 of contact-receiving railprofiles 3 of hybrid busbars 1 covered by this preconfigured touchprotection element TPE or providing a second configuration where devicemounting latches 7 of electrical devices ED can be passed through latchopenings 11 of the respective preconfigured touch protection element TPEand can engage hybrid busbars 1 or non-hybrid busbars covered by thepreconfigured touch protection element TPE from behind. In thisembodiment, the preconfigured touch protection element TPE does notcomprise any movable configuration portions but is preconfigured andmanufactured accordingly.

In a possible embodiment, the preconfigured touch protection element TPEcan be manufactured by a configuration platform according to a furtheraspect of the present invention. This configuration platform cancomprise a configuration module adapted to configure a touch protectionelement TPE in response to configuration data loaded from a database ofthe configuration platform and/or input via a user interface by a userinto the configuration platform. A configuration module of such aconfiguration platform can be connected either via a local or a globaldata network to a manufacturing machine adapted to manufactureautomatically the configured touch protection element TPE according tothe configuration data. This manufacturing machine can comprise forinstance a three-dimensional printer or an injection moulding machine.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2, 3 the electrical isolatingtouch protection elements TPE are used to connect electrical devices EDto the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS. The electrical isolatingtouch protection element TPE can also comprise a preconfigured touchprotection element TPE adapted to cover the parallel hybrid ornon-hybrid busbars 1 in a section completely (not illustrated in FIG. 1). Accordingly, at a location where it is not intended to connectelectrical devices ED to the touch protected busbar system such apreconfigured touch protection element TPE can be used to cover theparallel busbars at this location completely without providing any slotsor latch openings. This provides more flexibility for configuring thecomplete system.

The grid of equally spaced contact openings 16-i and the grid of equallyspaced contact openings 4-i are aligned to each other as illustrated inFIG. 1 . The alignment of the contact openings 16-i and the contactopenings 4-i makes it possible that the protruding electrical contacts 6of electrical devices can be passed easily through a pair of alignedopenings 4, 16. In a possible embodiment, the hybrid busbars 1 and/ornon-hybrid busbars of the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS cancomprise centering cavities or centering protrusions which can be usedfor positioning precisely the touch protection elements TPE (inx-direction) at the right position (align position) to be mounted on thebusbars of the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS. Mechanicalprotrusions of touch protection element TPE at its lower side can snapinto such centering cavities to facilitate the alignment of the touchprotection element TPE with the underlying hybrid busbars 1 so that thecontact openings 16 are aligned precisely and automatically with theunderlying contact openings 4 of the covered hybrid busbars 1-i inx-direction.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 , the busbars are covered in thecenter by five touch protection elements TPE1 to TPE5 which formseparate individual mechanical components as illustrated in FIG. 2 ,FIG. 3 . In a possible embodiment, several electrical isolating touchprotection elements TPE can be integrated forming a front sideelectrical isolating touch protection panel 14A located at the frontside of the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS. This front sideelectrical isolating touch protection panel 14A can be connected in apossible embodiment with a rear side electrical isolating touchprotection panel 14B provided at the rear side of the touch protectedbusbar system TP-BSYS to form an electrical isolating housing 13encapsulating the busbars, i.e. the hybrid busbars 1 and/or non-hybridbusbars of the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS completely as alsovisible in FIG. 4B.

FIGS. 31 and 32 show a possible embodiment of a touch protected busbarsystem TP-BSYS with a front side electrical isolating touch protectionpanel 14A and a rear side touch protection panel 14B forming anelectrical isolating housing 13 encapsulating the hybrid busbars 1and/or any non-hybrid busbars completely. The busbar support elementsBSE can be integrated in the rear side touch protection panel 14B of thehousing 13. The out-of-the-box embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 31, 32can be mounted on a mounting plate (not illustrated) e.g. by means ofscrews passing through screw holes 40 within the housing 13 as shown inFIGS. 31, 32 .

Also, in the embodiment of FIG. 1 with separate protection elements TPE,an electrical isolating touch protection panel 14B can be mounted at therear side of the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS to provideencapsulations of the hybrid busbars 1 and/or non-hybrid busbars of thetouch protected busbar system TP-BSYS thus increasing isolationprotection of a user. The front side electrical isolating touchprotection panel 14A as well as the rear side electrical isolating touchprotection panel 14B can be manufactured of a fire-resistant and/or aheat-conducting plastic material. Both panels 14A, 14B can be made of afire-resistant and heat-conducting transparent plastic material in apossible embodiment. In a possible embodiment, the front side electricalisolating touch protection panel 14A can be fabricated or manufacturedby a manufacturing machine under control of a configuration platformaccording to configuration data loaded from a database or input via auser interface of the configuration platform. The preconfigured frontside electrical isolating touch protection panel 14A covering thebusbars at the front side of the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYScan comprise different sections including sections with configurabletouch protection elements TPE such as illustrated in the embodiment ofFIGS. 2, 3 with adaptable configuration portions and sections withpreconfigured touch protection elements TPE having fixed configurationportions and also sections with touch protection elements TPE adapted tocover the hybrid busbars 1 completely, i.e. without any openings orslots.

FIGS. 4A, 4B show a view on a further exemplary embodiment of a touchprotected busbar system TP-BSYS according to the first aspect of thepresent invention. In the illustrated example, the hybrid busbars 1 arecovered by a set of touch protection elements TPE6 to TPE12. The touchprotection elements TPE6 to TPE12 cover the hybrid busbars 1-1, 1-2, 1-3partially, e.g. there is a section where the busbars 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 arenot covered by any touch protection element TPE as shown in FIG. 4A. Atthis uncovered section, it is possible to plug in or insert electricaldevices ED1, ED2 directly into the busbars 1 as shown in FIG. 4A.Accordingly, not all sections or portions of the busbar system have tobe covered by touch protection elements TPE as shown in theconfiguration of FIG. 4A.

Further, electrical devices ED3, ED4, ED5 can be attached to theuncovered portion as illustrated in FIG. 4B so that the busbars becomecompletely encapsulated. The front side can be covered by a mix of touchprotection elements TPE (TPE6-TPE12) and electrical devices (ED1-ED5) asillustrated in FIG. 4B. The rear side can be covered by a rear sidepanel 14B as also illustrated in FIG. 4B. Alternatively, the front sidecan also be covered completely by touch protection elements TPE to forma front side panel 14A.

Further, it is possible to connect an adapter device 33 to a touchprotection element such as the touch protection element TPE7 as shown inthe perspective view of FIG. 4 . This adapter element 33 can comprise arail element to attach an electrical device ED to the system. Electricalcurrent lines 34-1, 34-2, 34-3 can be connected by means of the adapterdevice 33 to the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS as shown in theembodiment of FIGS. 4A, 4B. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 4A,4B, touch protection elements TPE6, TPE7, TPE8 are in the first lowerconfiguration position uncovering the contact openings 16 and theunderlying contact openings 4 so that protruding electrical contacts 6of the adapter device 33 can be inserted or plugged into the contactopenings 4 of the hybrid busbars 1-i. The electrical lines 34-1, 34-2,34-3 can be electrically connected by corresponding electrical contacts6 to corresponding hybrid busbars 1-1, 1-2, 1-3.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 4A, 4B, the remaining touchprotection elements TPE9, TPE10, TPE10, TPE11, TPE12 are in the secondupper configuration position where the contact openings 16-1, 16-2 arecovered but a grid of latch openings 11-2, 11-3 remains uncovered asshown in FIG. 4A. As can be seen in FIG. 4A, clamping units 22-1, 22-2,22-3 can be connected mechanically by means of the latch openings 11-1,11-2, 11-3 to the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS as alsoillustrated in more detail in FIG. 27 . The clamping units 22-i can beused to clamp electrical devices ED-B or other components, in particularelectrically conducting components, to the hybrid busbars 1 of the touchprotected busbar system TP-BSYS. The clamping units 22-i can beintegrated in electrical devices ED or adapter devices. As can be seenin FIG. 4A, the busbar support elements 17-1, 17-2, 17-3 can all becovered completely by electrical devices ED so that no space is wasted.This can be achieved by the specific T-I form of the current-carryingrail profile 2 as illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B. The busbar supportelement 17 embraces the hybrid busbars 1 beneath the electrical devicesED.

FIG. 5 shows a further view on a touch protected busbar system TP-BSYSaccording to the first aspect of the present invention. The busbarsupport element 17 illustrated in FIG. 5 can be completely covered byattached electrical devices ED. These electrical devices ED can compriseeither electrical devices ED-A with protruding pluggable electricalcontacts 6 as illustrated in FIG. 21 or may be attached by means ofhook-shaped device mounting latches 7 as illustrated in FIG. 22 andbeing equipped with clamping contacts as illustrated in FIG. 27 . As canbe seen from the perspective view of FIG. 5 , the hybrid busbars 1 cancomprise in a possible implementation a T-shaped current-carrying railprofile 2 to which a flat contact-receiving rail profile 3 is attached.In the illustrated embodiment, three parallel hybrid busbars 1-1, 1-2,1-3 comprise associated T-shaped current-carrying rail profiles 2-1,2-2, 2-3 which can comprise a cross section allowing to carry a highelectrical current. In the illustrated example, a touch protectionelement TPE can be mounted to the parallel hybrid busbars 1-i to provideelectrical protection. The busbar mounting hooks 23-i of the touchprotection element TPE can engage the current-carrying rail profile 2-ifrom behind as shown in FIG. 5 . The cross section of thecurrent-carrying rail profile 2-i can match the form of the busbarmounting hook 23-i allowing to attach and snap the touch protectionelement TPE on the respective busbar. The T-shaped current-carrying railprofiles 2-i of the busbars can be supported in the illustratedembodiment by a corresponding busbar supporting element 17. The busbarsupporting element 17 comprises a basic lower supporting element 17A andan upper supporting element 17B holding the T-shaped hybrid busbars 1-ifrom both sides as illustrated in FIG. 5 . The touch protection elementTPE illustrated in FIG. 5 can be formed such that it covers the hybridbusbars 1 at the location or section of the busbar supporting element 17so that no room is wasted for connecting electrical devices ED to thetouch protected busbar system TP-BSYS. The busbar supporting element 17comprises busbar support fixing parts 17B-1 which can be mechanicallyfixed to the busbar support basic element 17B-2 holding the hybridbusbars 1-i in a fixed position.

FIGS. 6A, 6B show a further view on a possible exemplary embodiment of atouch protected busbar system TP-BSYS according to an aspect of thepresent invention. In the illustrated example, a bottom element 37provided for an electrical device ED to be attached to a touchprotection element TPE1. The neighbouring touch protection elementsTPE2, TPE3 are both in the second upper configuration position asillustrated in FIG. 3 to receive electrical devices ED having devicemounting latches 7 passed through the latch openings 11-1, 11-2, 11-3 toengage the hybrid busbars 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 from behind. The bottom element37 can comprise device latches 7 made of a fire-resistant andheat-conducting plastic material.

The bottom element 37 can comprise mechanical engaging elements 37A asillustrated schematically in FIG. 6A. The mechanically engaging elements37A can be moved in z-direction through corresponding openings 37B atthe lower rim of the touch protection elements TPE to engage intocorresponding cavities 39 (shown in FIGS. 29, 30 ). The mechanicalengaging elements 37A locked in the cavities 39 can be released in apossible embodiment by a release mechanism to disengage the electricaldevice ED from the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS. FIG. 6A alsoshows schematically spring contacts 37C for the respective electricaldevice ED to provide an electrical connection with the underlyingbusbars 1 covered by the touch protection elements TPE.

FIG. 6B illustrates the mechanical attachment of the touch protectionelements TPE1, TPE2, TPE3 to the hybrid busbars 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 by meansof busbar mounting hooks 23-1, 23-2, 23-3.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a busbar support element17 which is preconfigured to comprise only latch openings 11-1, 11-2,11-3 but no contact openings 16. Accordingly, this preconfigured busbarsupporting element 17 can only be used for connecting electrical devicesED-B having device mounting latches 7 as shown in FIG. 22 which can bepassed through the latch openings 11-i of the busbar supporting element17 to engage hybrid or non-hybrid busbars covered by the touchprotection element TPE from behind. The electrical device ED-B cancomprise clamp contacts as illustrated in FIG. 27 to establish anelectrical contact with the hybrid busbars 1-i carried by the busbarsupport element 17 of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 8 shows a busbar support element 17 adapted to receive the hybridbusbars 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 covered by the touch protection front element 17Aillustrated in FIG. 7 . The basic busbar support element 17B of FIG. 8comprises cavings or receiving portions 38 adapted to receive mountinglatches 7 of electrical devices ED-B passed through the latch openings11-i of a touch protection front element 17A of the busbar supportelement 17 to engage the current-carrying rail profiles 2-i of thehybrid busbars 1-i supported by the lower busbar support element 17Bfrom behind.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a busbar support element 17 whichcan be used in the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS according tothe present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the busbar supportelement 17 is preconfigured and manufactured to provide the firstconfiguration, i.e. a configuration where electrical contacts 6 ofelectrical devices ED-A can be passed through contact openings 16-1,16-2, 16-3 of the busbar support element 17 and can be plugged directlyinto the underlying aligned contact openings 4 of the contact openinggrids 4-1, 4-2, 4-3 of contact-receiving rail profiles 3-1, 3-2, 3-3 ofthe hybrid busbars 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 covered by the busbar support element17 shown in FIG. 9 . The preconfigured busbar support element 17 of FIG.9 can only be used for electrical devices ED-A having protrudingelectrical contacts 6 and not for electrical devices ED-B having devicemounting latches 7 since the busbar support element 17 shown in FIG. 9does not provide any latch openings 11 to receive device mountinglatches 7.

FIG. 10 shows the busbar supporting element 17 for receiving the hybridbusbars 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 shown in FIG. 9 without the touch protecting frontelement 17A. As can be seen in FIG. 10 , the lower busbar supportelement 17B does not comprise openings 38 to receive device mountinglatches 7 in contrast to the busbar supporting element 17 illustrated inFIG. 8 .

FIGS. 11 to 20 show different exemplary embodiments (symmetrical orasymmetrical) of hybrid busbars 1 which can be used in a touch protectedbusbar system TP-BSYS according to the present invention. The hybridbusbars 1 comprise an outer boundary cross section CS (as shown in FIG.22 ) corresponding to the cross section of a conventional massivebusbar. This allows to provide a mixed assembly having both conventionalbusbars and hybrid busbars 1 in the same busbar system.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary asymmetrical embodiment of a hybridbusbar 1 being an integrated monolithic hybrid busbar having acurrent-carrying rail profile portion 2 and an integratedcontact-receiving rail profile 3 with contact openings 4. The contactopenings 4 are equally spaced and configured to receive correspondingprotruding electrical contacts 6 of electrical devices to be connectedto the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS. As can be seen in FIG. 11, the hybrid busbar 1 is formed asymmetrically where thecontact-receiving rail portion 3 is attached lateral to thecurrent-carrying rail profile portion 2.

FIG. 12 shows a further exemplary asymmetrical embodiment of a hybridbusbar 1 which can be employed in a touch protected busbar systemTP-BSYS according to the present invention. In the illustratedembodiment, the hybrid busbar 1 comprises two separate components whichare mechanically attached to each other. In the illustrated embodiment,the contact-receiving rail profile 3 is attached to a current-carryingrail profile 2. An empty space 5 remains to receive the protrudingelectrical contacts 6 of a connected electrical device ED. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 12 , the hybrid busbar 1 is also formedasymmetrically. The contact-receiving openings 4 are equally spaced inx-direction and form a grid to receive electrical contacts 6 wherein theelectrical openings 4 are located in the lower half section of thehybrid busbar 1 as illustrated in FIG. 12 . The contact-receiving railprofile 3 is not flat as in FIG. 13 but is U-shaped to cover theunderlying current-carrying rail profile 2.

FIG. 13 illustrates a further exemplary asymmetrical embodiment of ahybrid busbar 1 which can be used in a touch protected busbar systemTP-BSYS according to the present invention. In the illustrated exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 13 , the contact-receiving rail profile 3 is a flatmechanical component attached to the underlying current-carrying railprofile 2. In the embodiment of FIG. 13 , the hybrid busbar 1 is formedasymmetrically along its longitudinal axis (x-direction).

FIG. 14 illustrates a further exemplary asymmetrical embodiment of ahybrid busbar 1 which can be used in a touch protected busbar systemTP-BSYS according to the present invention. The flat contact-receivingrail profile 3 is attached to a current-carrying rail profile 2 with arectangular cross section CS.

FIG. 15 illustrates a further exemplary asymmetrical embodiment of ahybrid busbar 1 which can be used in a touch protected busbar systemTP-BSYS according to the present invention. In the illustrated exemplaryembodiment, the current-carrying rail profile 2 comprises a T-shapedsection. The current-carrying rail profile 2 comprises a relative thickcross section to carry electrical current with a high current amplitude.The flat contact-receiving rail profile 3 is attached to a flangeportion of the current-carrying rail profile 2 as illustrated in FIG. 15. In the embodiment of FIG. 15 , the hybrid busbar 1 has an asymmetricalform along its longitudinal axis (x-direction).

FIG. 16 shows a further exemplary symmetrical embodiment of a hybridbusbar 1 which can be used in a touch protected busbar system TP-BSYSaccording to the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, thehybrid busbar 1 comprises several T-shaped profile elements 2B, 2B′which can be stacked on each other in z-direction forming a fittingphysical current cross section to carry an electrical current I with apredefined high current amplitude. In the exemplary implementation ofFIG. 16 , the current-carrying rail profile 2 comprises threecurrent-carrying rail profile elements 2A, 2B, 2B′ stacked on top ofeach other in z-direction to provide a huge physical cross section forhigh electrical currents. The front C-shaped profile cross section 2Ahas in the illustrated exemplary implementation a T-shaped protrusion 9Awhich can be inserted into a corresponding receiving cross section 10Bof a T-shaped second current-carrying rail profile element 2B. TheT-shaped current-carrying rail profile element 2B comprises itself aT-shaped protruding section 9B which can be inserted into acorresponding receiving groove 10B′ of the current-carrying rail profileelement 2B′. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9 has the advantage thataccording to a use case and necessity of the busbar system, a physicalcross section of the current-carrying rail profile 2 can be adapted byexchanging different current-carrying rail profile elements and bystacking a number of current-carrying rail profiles 2A, 2B, 2B′ . . .until a cross section of the current-carrying rail profile 2 issufficient for the respective system. Accordingly, the hybrid busbar 1as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 16 is very flexible and can beadapted to the respective busbar system by increasing the number ofcurrent-carrying rail profile elements or by reducing the number ofcurrent-carrying rail profile elements stacked on top of each otherdepending on the use case. Stacking current-carrying rail profileelements such as illustrated in FIG. 16 can also be performed for theother hybrid busbar elements illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 15 .

FIGS. 17, 18, 19 show further exemplary symmetrical embodiments ofhybrid busbars 1 which can be employed in the touch protected busbarsystem TP-BSYS according to the present invention. In the illustratedembodiment of FIGS. 17, 18 , the contact-receiving rail profile 3 isflat. In contrast, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 19 , thecontact-receiving rail profile 3 and the current-carrying rail profile 2are both U-shaped and can be pressed into the receiving shape of thecurrent-carrying rail profile 2. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.10 , a flat contact-receiving rail profile 3 can be attached to acorresponding receiving section of the current-carrying rail profile 2,i.e. by welding or by laser-welding. In contrast, in the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 18 , the flat contact-receiving rail profile 3 canbe inserted into a groove 8 of the current-carrying rail profile 2.Accordingly, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18 has the advantagethat the contact-receiving rail profile 3 can be replaced by moving itout of the groove 8. It is therefore possible to replace thecontact-receiving rail profile 3. For instance, a firstcontact-receiving rail profile 3 having rectangular contact slots 4 asshown in FIG. 18 may be replaced by another flat contact-receiving railprofile 3 having equally spaced contact openings 4 of a different shapesuch as quadratic contact openings and/or round contact openings 4. Inthe illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 17, 18, 19 , a current-carryingrail profile 2 is configured to carry electrical currents I with acomparatively small current amplitude. In the illustrated embodiments ofFIGS. 17, 18, 19 , the hybrid busbar 1 comprises a symmetrical formalong its longitudinal axis (x-direction).

The touch protected busbar system 1 allows in a possible implementationto combine hybrid busbars 1 having an asymmetrical shape and otherhybrid busbars having a symmetrical form.

FIG. 20 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a hybrid busbar 1 whichcan be used in the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS according tothe present invention. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, thecontact-receiving rail profile 3 comprises a plurality of equally spacedcontact openings 4. The openings 4 are equally spaced in x-direction. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the contact-receiving rail profile 3 is atleast partially covered with an electrical isolating material, forinstance a plastic material M. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 20, a first section of the contact-receiving rail profile 3 is not coveredby the electrical isolating material M whereas another section of thecontact-receiving rail profile 3 is completely covered by the electricalisolating layer made of electrical isolating materials such as theplastic material M. The electrical isolating layer can be applied to thecontact-receiving rail profile 3. For instance, the equally spacedcontact openings or slots 4 can be punched into the contact receivingrail profile 3 of the hybrid busbar 1. FIG. 20 shows a contact-receivingrail profile 3 with a covering isolating material M from the front side.The isolation can also be provided by separate isolating elementsattached to the hybrid busbar 1.

The contact-receiving rail profile 3 can in at least one section becompletely isolated by a surrounding encapsulating electrical isolatinglayer made of an electrical isolating material M. It is also possiblethat the contact-receiving rail profile 3 is only covered on the frontside with an electrical isolating layer made of an isolating material Mbut not isolated on its rear side. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.20 , the contact-receiving rail profile is U-shaped. Other forms of thecontact-receiving rail profile 3 are possible, for instancecontact-receiving rail profiles 3 as illustrated in the otherembodiments of FIGS. 11 to 19 .

FIGS. 21, 22 illustrate possible cross sections CS (in yz-plane) ofhybrid busbars 1 to which different types of electrical devices ED canbe connected.

FIG. 21 illustrates a hybrid busbar 1 comprising a contact-receivingrail profile 3 having openings 4 to receive protruding electricalcontacts 6 of an electrical device ED-A of a first type. The openings 4are equally spaced in y-direction.

In contrast, FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment where a hybrid busbar 1is engaged mechanically from behind by device mounting latches 7 of anelectrical device ED-B of a second type. The electrical device ED-B canestablish an electrical contact by means of a clamping unit 22 or aclamping element 28 as shown in FIG. 27 . The device mounting latch 7has a shape which allows to connect the electrical device ED-B also to aconventional massive busbar with a rectangular cross section CS.

In both embodiments of FIGS. 21, 22 , the current-carrying rail profile2 and the contact-receiving rail profile 3 provide at least onerectangular boundary cross section CS. The rectangular cross section ofthe hybrid busbar 1 comprises a rectangular envelope cross section CSsurrounding the current-carrying rail profile 2 and the at least onecontact-receiving rail profile 3.

The hybrid busbar 1 can be either connected from the front side (inz-direction) by electrical devices ED-A having protruding electricalcontacts 6 or by another type of electrical devices ED-B havinghook-shaped mounting device latches 7 as illustrated in FIG. 22 .Consequently, the hybrid busbar 1 and the touch protected busbar systemTP-BSYS according to the present invention can be used for a widevariety of different electrical devices ED and is very flexible in use.Further, the mounting of electrical devices ED such as electrical deviceED-A and ED-B to the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS can be donewithout use of any adapter element or requiring any tools.

The rectangular envelope cross section CS of the hybrid busbar 1 cancomprise in a possible embodiment a predefined width W and a predefinedheight H. In a possible implementation, the width W of the rectangularenvelope cross section CS is between 12 mm and 30 mm. Further, theheight H of the rectangular envelope cross section CS can in a possibleembodiment be 5 mm or 10 mm. Consequently, the rectangular envelopecross section CS can comprise in a possible implementation the followingdimensions: 10×12 mm, 10×20 mm, 10×24 mm, 10×30 mm. In a furtherimplementation, the rectangular envelope cross section CS of the hybridbusbar 1 can comprise the following dimensions: 5×12 mm, 5×20 mm, 5×24mm, 5×30 mm. Consequently, the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYSaccording to the present invention is completely compatible withexisting busbar systems. The rectangular cross section CS corresponds tothe cross section of a conventional massive busbar thus allowing a mixof hybrid busbars 1 and conventional busbars within the touch protectedbusbar system TP-BSYS.

The contact openings 4-i of the contact-receiving profile 3 areconfigured to be equidistant (in x-direction) thus forming a constantcontact receiving grid. Moreover, the contact openings 4-i of thecontact-receiving profile 3 can comprise in different embodimentsdifferent shapes including rectangular contact slots, quadratic contactopenings or even round contact openings. The shape of the contactopenings 4-i can vary depending on the use case as well as depending onthe form and shape of the protruding electrical contact 6 of therespective electrical devices ED to be connected to the touch protectedbusbar system TP-BSYS.

Between the contact-receiving rail profile 3 and the current-carryingrail profile 2, there is an empty space or chamber 5 which allows toinsert protruding electrical contacts 6 from electrical devices ED inz-direction through the contact openings 4-i to establish an electricalconnection with the hybrid busbar 1 and the corresponding touchprotected busbar system TP-BSYS. In x-direction on both sides of theelectrical contact 6 illustrated in FIG. 21 , a contact protection ribof the same shape can be provided to provide mechanical support. Bothprotruding contact protection ribs are inserted in z-direction alongwith the intermediate electrical contact 6 into three neighbouringcontact openings or slots 4 either directly or through openings 16 of atouch protection element TPE. The height and size of the chamber 5 forreceiving the protruding electrical contacts 6 (and protection ribs) asillustrated in FIGS. 21, 22 can vary depending on the used electricaldevices ED and the form and shape of their protruding electricalcontacts 6.

The advantage of all embodiments of the hybrid busbar 1 used in thetouch protected busbar system TP-BSYS according to the present inventionis that the envelope cross section CS and size of the current-carryingrail profile 2 defines a current amplitude which can be carried by thehybrid busbars 1. Most of the electrical current I flowing through thehybrid busbar 1 is carried by the current-carrying rail profile 2. Onlya comparatively low portion of the electrical current I can be carriedby the contact-receiving rail profile 3 because of the contact openings4. Consequently, the size and shape of the current-carrying rail profile2 can define a maximum amplitude of the carried electrical current Iwhich can flow through the hybrid busbar 1 of the touch protected busbarsystem TP-BSYS. In a possible implementation, the current-carrying railprofile 2 can be mechanically connected to the contact-receiving railprofile 3 in such a way that only a very high mechanical force canseparate the two components or elements of the hybrid busbar 1 from eachother. In other alternative embodiments, the current-carrying railprofile 2 and the contact-receiving rail profile 3 can be separated fromeach other, for instance for replacing an existing current rail profile2 by a new current-carrying rail profile 2′ having a different shape orcross section CS.

FIG. 23 shows an exemplary (more simple) embodiment of a touch protectedbusbar system 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the touch protectedbusbar system 1 comprises a front section panel 14A having a number ofrows 16-1, 16-2, 16-3 of equally spaced contact openings 16 which arealigned with equally spaced contact openings 4 of contact-receiving railprofiles 3-i of hybrid busbars 1-1, 1-2, 1-3. In the illustratedexemplary embodiment of FIG. 23 , the front panel 14A can be integratedwith a rear panel 14B to encapsulate the hybrid busbars 1-i on the frontand rear side completely. In the illustrated embodiment, the front panel14A and rear panel 14B can form an encapsulating housing 13 made of anelectrical isolating material which can protect a user efficientlyagainst high electrical currents and/or electrical voltages. Electricaldevices such as the electrical devices ED-A illustrated in FIG. 21 canbe attached to the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS inserting theelectrical contacts 6 passed through the contact openings 16 of thefront panel or front section 14A and then through the aligned contactopenings 4 of the contact-receiving rail profiles 3-i lying directlybeneath the contact openings 16.

FIG. 24 shows an embodiment where the different rows 16-i of the equallyspaced contact openings 16 do not cover the complete front cover orfront panel 14A of the isolating housing 13.

A preferred embodiment of a touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS havinga front side panel 14A and a rear side panel 14B forming an integratedencapsulating and isolating housing 13 is illustrated in FIGS. 31, 32 .The front side panel 14A can comprise configuration portions 12. Theseconfiguration portions 12-1, 12-2 can be moveable or integrated in thefront side panel 14A. In a preferred embodiment, the configurationportions 12-1, 12-2 of the front side panel 14A can be moved by a userbetween different configuration positions depending on the type ofelectrical devices ED the user wants to attach to the touch protectedbusbar system TP-BSYS.

In a possible embodiment, rectangular envelope cross sections CS of thehybrid busbars 1 can be formed such that they correspond in theirdimensions, i.e. height H and width W to conventional non-hybridbusbars. Accordingly, the hybrid busbars 1 used by the touch protectedbusbar system TP-BSYS can be easily used to replace existingconventional busbars. In a possible embodiment, the touch protectedbusbar system TP-BSYS can even comprise a mix of normal conventionalbusbars and hybrid busbars 1. In a possible embodiment, the touchprotected busbar system TP-BSYS can comprise longitudinal busbarconnectors adapted to connect mechanically and electrically at least onenon-hybrid busbar with at least one hybrid busbar 1. Such a longitudinalbusbar connector can be formed such that it provides a mechanical andelectrical connection, e.g. between three parallel hybrid busbars 1-1,1-2, 1-3 and three non-hybrid busbars.

FIG. 25 shows possible alternatives to connect electrical devices EDwith hybrid busbars 1 of the touch protected busbar system TP-BSYSaccording to the invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the shownhybrid busbars 1 are symmetrical in form having a flat contact-receivingrail profile 3-i. In other embodiments, the hybrid busbars 1-i can alsocomprise asymmetrical hybrid busbars 1. The busbar support element 17carries the three hybrid busbars 1-1, 1-2, 1-3 each consisting of acurrent-carrying rail profile 2-1, 2-2, 2-3 and an attached integratedcontact-receiving rail profile 3-1, 3-2, 3-3 with contact openings 4.The busbar carrying element or busbar support element 17 can forinstance be attached to a mounting plate of an electrical controlcabinet. Clamping brackets 18 as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG.26 can be used to contact the hybrid busbars 1. These clamping brackets18 can be designed to be inserted through the contact openings 16 and toengage with equally spaced contact openings 4 of the contact-receivingrail profile 3-i of the hybrid busbar 1. The system can compriseengaging traversing rails 21-i which can be used for mechanical engagingelements of the electrical devices ED attached to the busbar system,especially to fix mechanically electrical devices ED having a highphysical weight. The touch protected busbar system TP-BSYS according tothe present invention can surround the included hybrid busbars 1 in apossible embodiment completely. In an alternative embodiment, the touchprotected busbar system TP-BSYS comprises touch protection elements TPEor a panel covering the front side of the busbars 1. Electrical devicesED can also be mounted by means of electrical cables 20 havingelectrical contacts 19 inserted into contact openings or slots 4 of thehybrid busbars (e.g. through contact openings 16 of TPEs) as shown inFIG. 25 .

FIG. 26 illustrates a further possible embodiment of a contact-receivingrail profile 3 which is connected to a current-carrying rail profile 2by means of a mechanical connection element 24 using an intermediatedistance element 25 made out of an electrically conductive material andpositioned between the contact-receiving rail profile 3 and thecurrent-carrying rail profile 2. In the illustrated embodiment, themechanical connection element 24 can form part of a busbar supportelement 17 and may have a first portion 24A, a second portion 24Bincluding a receiving groove to receive a hybrid busbar 1. The receivinggroove has a height H and a width W defining a rectangular cross sectionCS corresponding to the bounding geometry of the rectangular crosssection CS of the hybrid busbar 1. The height H of the distance element25 can depend on the height H of the contact-receiving rail profile 3and the height H of the current-carrying rail profile 2.

The intermediate distance element 25 is made of an electrical conductingmaterial and can be a separate exchangeable element or attached toeither the contact-receiving rail profile 3 or the current-carrying railprofile 2. Screws 26, 27 can be used to fix the upper portion 24A to thelower portion 24B of the mechanical connection element 24 and mayslightly press the contact-receiving rail profile 3 via the intermediatedistance element 25 on the current-carrying rail profile 2. In analternative embodiment, the contact-receiving rail profile 3 can befixed to the current-carrying rail profile 2 by other mechanicalconnection means including bolts or clinch elements.

In a further possible embodiment, the hybrid busbar 1 can comprisebesides the contact-receiving rail profile 3 and the current-carryingrail profile 2 additional data transmission rail profile elementsextending in parallel with the contact-receiving rail profile 3 and thecurrent-carrying rail profile 2 in x-direction. The data transmissionrail profile can be used in a possible implementation for a datatransfer of data signals between electrical devices ED having protrudingcontacts 6 inserted into slots 4 of the contact-receiving rail profile 3and/or by electrical devices ED engaging the current-carrying railprofile 2 by means of device hook-shaped latches 7. In an alternativeembodiment, the communication of data transfer can take place by PLC viathe hybrid busbar 1, i.e. via the current-carrying rail profile 2 and/orvia the contact-receiving rail profile 3.

In a possible embodiment, the current-carrying rail profile 2 comprisesa rail profile consisting of copper, aluminium or a multicomponentmaterial. The contact-receiving rail profile 3 can be made of copper,tin-coated copper or silver-coated copper and/or brass.

The cross section of the current-carrying rail profile 2 can beconfigured to carry an alternating or direct current with a predefinedhigh current amplitude of up to 5000 Ampere.

FIG. 27 illustrates a clamping unit 22 and 28 which can be used forconnecting electrical devices ED and other components to a hybrid busbar1 as illustrated in FIG. 27 . The clamping unit 22 as well as 28 can beintegrated in an electrical device ED and can both be used to establishan electrical contact between the electrical device ED and the hybridbusbar 1 through openings of a touch protection element TPE.

The clamping unit 22 can include a screw or threaded pin 22C used forattaching a component or electrical device ED to the hybrid busbar 1.The clamping unit 22 provides electrical contact by means of a combcontact pressed through the openings of the TPE against thecontact-receiving profile 3. The counterforce is provided by themounting latches 7A, 7B.

Further, FIG. 27 shows schematically a protruding electrical contact 6or contact element 19 which can be inserted into a slot 4 of thecontact-receiving rail profile 3 of the hybrid busbar 1. An electricalcontact 19 of an electrical cable 20 can also be inserted into such acontact-receiving slot 4 of the contact-receiving rail profile 3.

The hybrid busbar 1 can also be connected by means of a clamp unit 28having a spring element 29 that presses contact tongues 28A inz-direction on the hybrid busbar 1 to provide a contact between acomponent or electrical device ED and the hybrid busbar 1 (for instancea current-carrying rail). The clamping unit 22 and 28 both comprise twomounting latches 7A, 7B engaging the hybrid busbar 1 from behind asillustrated in FIG. 27 to provide a counterforce in z-direction.

A comb contact plate 22A of the clamping unit 22 can comprise protrudingfingers 22B-1, 22B-2, 22B-3 which can be inserted in z-direction eitherdirectly or indirectly through corresponding openings 16 of a touchprotection element TPE into the slots 4 of the hybrid busbar 1 toprovide a tight fixed mechanical and electrical connection with thehybrid busbar 1. The spring element 29 of the clamp unit 28 allows tosnap the clamping element 28 onto the hybrid busbar 1 and presses thecontact tongues 28A in z-direction on the hybrid busbars 1 to establishan electrical contact through openings 16 of a touch protection elementTPE. The contact force can be either provided by elastic materialproperties of the contact tongues 28A themselves or by a separatecontact spring component 29 as illustrated in FIG. 27 .

The clamping unit 22 and the clamp element 28 can provide for moreflexibility of the busbar system allowing also to attach additionalcomponents to the hybrid busbars 1. The clamping unit 22 as well as theclamping element 28 can also be attached to conventional busbars havinga rectangular cross section CS allowing for even more flexibility.

FIGS. 28, 29, 30 show a further exemplary embodiment of a busbar supportelement 17 which can be used in the touch protected busbar systemaccording to the present invention. FIG. 28 shows a perspective frontview of a busbar support element 17 comprising a basic busbar supportelement 17B which can be covered by a touch protected front element 17Aas also illustrated in FIG. 29 . The basic busbar support element 17Bcomprises cavities 38 to receive protruding device mounting latches 7 ofelectrical devices ED-B. The basic busbar support element 17B comprisesholes 35 for screws 36 to mount the basic busbar support element 17B toa mounting plate.

FIG. 30 illustrates the basic busbar support element 17B in aperspective view without the covering touch protection element 17A. Thebasic busbar support element 17B comprises openings or cavities 39 forreceiving mechanical engagement elements 37A (shown in FIG. 6A) asillustrated in FIGS. 29, 30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the frontelement 17A of the busbar support element 17 can also compriseconfiguration portions 12 as shown in FIGS. 28, 29 . The width of thebusbar support element 17 illustrated in FIG. 28 can correspond to thewidth of two more touch protection elements TPE as illustrated in FIGS.2, 3 . The covering touch protection front element 17A has engagingelements 41-1, 41-2, 41-3 to engage corresponding sections of the basicbusbar support element 17B from behind to receive mechanical forces ofthe busbars in z-direction.

Different embodiments of the hybrid busbars 1 and the touch protectionelements TPE as illustrated in the different figures can be combinedwith each other. Accordingly, the figures illustrate only exemplaryembodiments but other embodiments forming combinations of the differentembodiments are also possible.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A touch protected busbar system comprising:at least one hybrid busbar having a current-carrying rail profile; and acontact-receiving rail profile providing contact openings configured toreceive protruding electrical contacts of electrical devices to beconnected to said touch protected busbar system, wherein the at leastone hybrid busbar is at least partially covered by electrical isolatingtouch protection elements of said touch protected busbar system and/orat least partially encapsulated by an electrical isolating layer, andwherein the electrical isolating touch protection elements are mountedby busbar mounting hooks on the at least one hybrid busbar and includeslatch openings adapted to receive device mounting latches of electricaldevices to be connected to said touch protected busbar system.
 2. Atouch protected busbar system comprising: at least one hybrid busbarhaving a current-carrying rail profile; and a contact-receiving railprofile providing contact openings configured to receive protrudingelectrical contacts of electrical devices to be connected to said touchprotected busbar system, wherein the at least one hybrid busbar is atleast partially covered by electrical isolating touch protectionelements of said touch protected busbar system and/or at least partiallyencapsulated by an electrical isolating layer, wherein the at least onehybrid busbar of said touch protected busbar system, and other hybridbusbars or non-hybrid busbars included in said touch protected busbarsystem, are mounted on busbar support elements of said touch protectedbusbar system, and wherein the busbar support elements are configured toreceive electrical devices covering the busbar support elements.
 3. Atouch protected busbar system comprising: at least one hybrid busbarhaving a current-carrying rail profile; and a contact-receiving railprofile providing contact openings configured to receive protrudingelectrical contacts of electrical devices to be connected to said touchprotected busbar system, wherein the at least one hybrid busbar is atleast partially covered by electrical isolating touch protectionelements of said touch protected busbar system and/or at least partiallyencapsulated by an electrical isolating layer, wherein several of saidelectrical isolating touch protection elements are integrated forming afront side electrical isolating touch protection panel at a front sideof said touch protected busbar system, and wherein the front sideelectrical isolating touch protection panel is mechanically connectedwith a rear side electrical isolating touch protection panel at a rearside of said touch protected busbar system opposite said front side, toform an electrical isolating housing encapsulating the at least onehybrid busbar of said touch protected busbar system.
 4. The touchprotected busbar system according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein: the atleast one hybrid busbar includes the current-carrying rail profile andthe contact-receiving rail profile, and the current-carrying railprofile and the contact-receiving rail profile are either connected orare formed as an integrated monolithic hybrid busbar.
 5. The touchprotected busbar system according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein theelectrical isolating touch protection elements are mounted on thebusbars and include contact openings aligned with said contact openingsof said contact-receiving rail profiles of said at least one hybridbusbar covered by said touch protection elements.
 6. The touch protectedbusbar system according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the electricalisolating touch protection elements are mounted by busbar mounting hookson the at least one hybrid busbar and include latch openings adapted toreceive device mounting latches of electrical devices to be connected tosaid touch protected busbar system.
 7. The touch protected busbar systemaccording to claim 6, wherein the device mounting latches of theelectrical devices are hook-shaped and adapted to be passed through thelatch openings of the electrical isolating touch protection elements andto engage the at least one hybrid busbar, or non-hybrid busbars includedin the touch protected busbar system, covered by said touch protectionelements from behind.
 8. The touch protected busbar system according toclaims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the electrical isolating touch protectionelement comprises at least one configurable electrical isolating touchprotection element having a configuration portion adapted to provide afirst configuration where the protruding electrical contacts ofelectrical devices can be passed through contact openings of therespective touch protection element and can be plugged into alignedcontact openings of contact-receiving rail profiles of the at least onehybrid busbar covered by said touch protection element.
 9. The touchprotected busbar system according to claim 8, wherein the at least oneconfiguration portion of the configurable electrical isolating touchprotection element is adapted to provide a second configuration in whichdevice mounting latches of electrical devices can be passed throughlatch openings of the respective touch protection element and can engagethe at least one hybrid busbar, and/or non-hybrid busbars included inthe touch protected busbar system, covered by said touch protectionelement from behind.
 10. The touch protected busbar system according toclaim 8, wherein the at least one configuration portion of theconfigurable electrical isolating touch protection element is moveablebetween a first position to provide a first configuration and a secondposition to provide a second configuration of said configurable touchprotection element or wherein the at least one configuration portion ofsaid configurable electrical isolating touch protection element ismounted on or integrated with said electrical isolating touch protectionelement in a fixed position to provide either a first configuration or asecond configuration of said configurable touch protection elementwherein the electrical isolating touch protection element comprises apreconfigured touch protection element providing a first configurationwhere protruding electrical contacts of electrical devices can be passedthrough contact openings of the respective preconfigured touchprotection element and can be plugged into aligned contact openings ofthe contact-receiving rail profiles of the at least one hybrid busbarcovered by said preconfigured touch protection element or providing asecond configuration where device mounting latches of electrical devicescan be passed through the latch openings of the respective preconfiguredtouch protection element and can engage the at least one hybrid busbar,or non-hybrid busbars included in the touch protected busbar system,covered by said preconfigured touch protection element from behind. 11.The touch protected busbar system according to claims 1, 2 or 3, whereinthe electrical isolating touch protection element comprises apreconfigured touch protection element adapted to cover the at least onehybrid busbar, and/or non-hybrid busbars included in the touch protectedbusbar system, completely.
 12. The touch protected busbar systemaccording to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the electrical isolating touchprotection elements mounted on busbars of said touch protected busbarsystem include contact openings that are equally spaced and aligned withthe equally spaced contact openings of the contact-receiving railprofiles of the at least one hybrid busbar, covered by said touchprotection elements.
 13. The touch protected busbar system according toclaims 1 or 3, wherein the at least one hybrid busbar of said touchprotected busbar system and other hybrid busbars, or non-hybrid busbarsincluded in said touch protected busbar system, are mounted on busbarsupport elements of said touch protected busbar system, wherein thebusbar support elements are configured to receive electrical devicescovering the busbar support elements.
 14. The touch protected busbarsystem according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the at least one hybridbusbar, and/or non-hybrid busbars included in the touch protected busbarsystem said touch protected busbar system, comprise centering cavitiesor centering protrusions used for positioning the touch protectionelements precisely when mounted on the at least one hybrid busbar andthe non-hybrid busbars, respectively.
 15. The touch protected busbarsystem according to claims 1, 2 or 3, further comprising at least anelectrical isolating touch protection panel mounted on the rear side ofsaid touch protected busbar system.
 16. The touch protected busbarsystem according to claims 1 or 2, wherein several electrical isolatingtouch protection elements are integrated forming a front side electricalisolating touch protection panel at a front side of said touch protectedbusbar system, wherein the front side electrical isolating touchprotection panel is mechanically connected with a rear side electricalisolating touch protection panel at a rear side of said touch protectedbusbar system opposite said front side, to form an electrical isolatinghousing encapsulating the busbars of said touch protected busbar system.17. The touch protected busbar system according to claims 1, 2 or 3,wherein the electrical isolating touch protection element comprises amechanical removal protection adapted to block a removal of therespective touch protection element from said touch protected busbarsystem.
 18. The touch protected busbar system according to claims 1, 2or 3, wherein the electrical isolating touch protection element isadapted to cover at least two hybrid busbars, and/or non-hybrid busbarsincluded in the touch protected busbar system, mounted in parallel insaid touch protected busbar system.
 19. The touch protected busbarsystem according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the electrical isolatingtouch protection element comprises mechanical interfaces to connectmechanical components with said touch protected busbar system, whereinthe mechanical components connected via mechanical interfaces of theelectrical isolating touch protection elements to said touch protectedbusbar system comprise components to receive additional busbars used tocarry electrical current and/or used to carry information and/orauxiliary components, in particular auxiliary components used to labelthe respective touch protection elements or connected electricaldevices.
 20. The touch protected busbar system according to claims 1, 2or 3, wherein the electrical isolating touch protection elementscomprise slots to receive protruding mechanical locking elements ofelectrical devices with protruding electrical contacts mounted on saidtouch protection elements and electrically connected to the at least onehybrid busbar, and/or electrically connected to non-hybrid busbarsincluded in the touch protected busbar system, covered by the respectivetouch protection elements, and/or wherein the electrical isolating touchprotection elements comprise openings to receive mechanical engagingelements of electrical devices locking into underlying cavities.
 21. Thetouch protected busbar system according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein theelectrical isolating touch protection elements are made offire-resistant and heat-conducting plastic material, in particular afire-resistant and heat-conducting transparent plastic material.
 22. Thetouch protected busbar system according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein thehybrid busbar comprises at least one bounding geometry having arectangular cross section engageable by hook-shaped mounting latches ofelectrical devices or electrical connectors or electrical adapters to beconnected to said touch protected busbar system.
 23. The touch protectedbusbar system according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the hybrid busbaris formed symmetrical with the contact-receiving rail profile connectedto the current-carrying rail profile by a force-fit or form-fit or amaterial-fit connection or is formed asymmetrically with thecontact-receiving rail portion attached lateral to the current-carryingrail profile.
 24. The touch protected busbar system according to claims1, 2 or 3, wherein the electrical isolating touch protection elementsprovide an intrusion protection according to protection marking codeIP20B and/or provide an interface for an additional protection elementin order to provide protection marking IP40D.
 25. The touch protectedbusbar system according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein thecurrent-carrying rail profile of the hybrid busbar comprises a C-shapedprofile and one or more T-shaped profiles.
 26. The touch protectedbusbar system according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the touch protectedbusbar system is integrated in a housing of a distribution box or adistribution enclosure.
 27. The touch protected busbar system accordingto claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein a configuration portion of the touchprotection element comprises openings to receive coding protrusions ofelectrical devices to provide a reverse voltage protection of theelectrical devices.
 28. The touch protected busbar system according toclaims 1, 2 or 3, wherein configuration portions of the touch protectionelements, comprise slots to receive mechanical locking elements ofelectrical devices used to mount the electrical devices on said touchprotection elements.
 29. The touch protected busbar system according toclaims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the electrical isolating touch protectionelements are adapted to cover and isolate additional busbars and/orelectrical conductors used to transport analog or digital informationsignals, AC or DC supply voltages or to provide reference potentials.30. The touch protected busbar system according to claims 1, 2 or 3,comprising longitudinal busbar connectors adapted to connectmechanically and electrically at least one non-hybrid busbar included inthe touch protected busbar system, with at least one of the at least onehybrid busbar.